The Louisiana Democrat. [volume] (Alexandria, La.) 1845-1918, 1887-03-09
Mr.. MATTHEW'S CHARACTER.
How tho Neighbors and Friends of the
Presidents Appointec Speak of the Man
Rejected by Republicans on Account of
His sBad ReDutatiOn.o

Rejected by Republicans on Account of
His "Bad Reputation.".
The rejection Of Mr.. j. G. Matthews
by the Republican Senate is having
more serious effect on the party than
the partisan Senators ever imagined.
The prominent representatives of the
colored race all over the country have
taken the matter up and have de-
nounced tie unjust, minded
policy that led to the rejection of
bright, capable, gentlemanly, we'll
educated member of their community.
Hon. John H. Smyth, ex-Minister
to Liberia, has been most determined
in his efforts to show up the un-
fairness and duplicity of the Repub-
lican party as shown in this instance.
The delegation which waited on the
President and presented him with
most eloquent and strongly-worded
address was composed of eminent col
Bishops and minister. They regarded
it as a question of race, not politics.
Ex-Minister Smyth, a Republican, by
the way, in communication to the
argus, alludes to a card published in
our Republican morning contemporary,
and signed by colored man of this
city, stating that "All Albany joins you
in our effort to send j. C. Matthews to
LIBERIA Mr.. Smyth denies that he
ever suggested such trip to Africa
for Mr. Matthews, but, on the contra
ry, considered him just the man for the
position of Recorder of Deeds for the
District of Columbia.
Mr.. Smyth adds: 1.-THE members OF
my party in the Senate opposed his
confirmation because he was a negro
Democrat, saying, practically, that a
negroes personal liberty is limited to
voting with one party alone, and if he
dare vote or act with the Democracy he
is to be crushed. Mr.. Smyth further
remarks that the better class of col
ored citizens at Albany urged the Sen
ate to confirm Mr.. Matthews. He adj
ministers the following severe rebuke
to the solitary crank who has been air.
ing his spite against Mr.. Matthews in
the columns Of our Republican con.
temporaries:
I am concerned when, twenty years after oul
enfranchisement, which was not due wholly t.
white men of the North and West, but was due
tn the combined effort Of black and white mel
who went to the front and battled for the main
tenance of the Union, that negroes should no
have learned that the advancement Of any mai
among us, whether he afnliated with Democrat
or Republicans, tends to lift the whole sever
millions to higher plane Of self-respect ant
responsibility, and to efface prejudice from
white men OF both parties.
AS to the charges fled here against Mr.. Mat
thews, have to say that the committee
through their chairman, Mr. ingalls,, say the
were too frivolous for consideration. 1t is
| fact that universally-signed petitions Of col
| ored people from Albany and all parts of tn
! country, whose responsibility, intelligence an
| material worth entitle them to high considers
! tion asked that Mr. Matthews be confirmed q
| account of his well-known unimpeachable chal
acter, superior abilities and fitness forthe off1c
/ to which he was appointed.
| In view of the foregoing statement from MI
ingalls,, which was corroborated by Senate
! Harris, his colleague on the subcommittee t
! investigate can any colored man claim to be i
i sympathy with the sentiment of the best ele
ment among our people at Albany, and preten
that the charges made against Mr.. Matthew
| are we'll founded, without laying himself ope
! to just censure of being a little off--a cranl
! for illustration. Argus.
|